Bright fruit flavors and minimal barrel aging make this a winner!
Our location in the southern end of the Alexander Valley is defined by the Russian River. Morning fog, warm days and daily diurnal temperature swings of 40 to 50 degrees provide the ideal growing conditions for our Chardonnay.
2022 kicked off with a lack of rain from the ongoing drought, warm spring, and early summer. Relatively mild summer temperatures allowed the grapes to mature evenly. Harvest began quickly and yields were a bit lighter than in prior vintages. At harvest, the quality of the fruit was excellent with natural acidity and intense flavors.
We harvest 70% of our Chardonnay at night when the grapes are cool to retain the natural acidity, then cold ferment those lots in stainless steel, without malolactic fermentation or barrel aging, to highlight the citrus and green apple flavors. We whole-cluster press 30% of the best fruit and barrel ferment that portion in French oak barrels. The barrel fermented lots undergo secondary malolactic fermentation and age on the lees for ten months to develop roundness and body.
The 2022 is a full bodied, well balanced Chardonnay with loads of fresh fruit flavors. Aromas of apple, pear, vanilla along with floral notes and hint of oak from the minimal barrel aging fill the glass. Bright flavors of pear, apple, juicy peach and tropical fruits along with slight citrus notes are balanced by the rich mouthfeel.
Accolades:
2022: 95 points & Gold Medal - California State Fair
2022: 92 points - Decanter World Wine Awards
2022: 91 points - Wine Enthusiast
2022: 91 points & Gold Medal - Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
